Utah Domestic Violence Defense
Criminal defense lawyer in Salt Lake City
Domestic violence is not a specific criminal charge, but rather an enhancement of other charges. A person accused of attacking a neighbor can be charged with assault, while a man accused of slapping his ex-girlfriend might receive the charge of assault with a domestic violence enhancement. The Law Office of Harold W. Stone, III understands the stress of domestic violence penalties and helps you overcome your charges.
How domestic violence is defined
Under Utah law, domestic violence refers to any criminal offense involving violence, physical harm or the threat of either one against a cohabitant. The standard for cohabitation includes persons at least 16-years old who are any of the following:
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Ex-roommates and in-laws fall into the same category as husbands and wives when it comes to domestic violence law in Utah.
Common types of domestic violence charges
Assault is not the only form of domestic violence under Utah law. Several other charges are subject to the domestic violence enhancement, including:
Civil protective orders are often taken out against people accused of domestic violence. If you receive such an order, you can easily get into further legal difficulty.
Why enhancements are serious
A domestic violence enhancement can be applied to your charges if you were convicted of a previous domestic violence crime within the past five years. When that is the case, your charges will be enhanced by one degree. Your Class A misdemeanor charge of stalking could be enhanced to a third-degree felony, or your first-degree felony charges of aggravated kidnapping could become a federal case.
What to do when facing domestic violence charges
Fight your charges with help from Salt Lake City criminal defense lawyer Harold Stone. A domestic violence conviction has serious consequences. In addition to fines and jail time, you lose the right to carry a gun and you are no longer allowed to enter certain countries including Canada. Harold Stone skillfully negotiates to remove the domestic violence enhancement from you charges.
Challenge your Utah domestic violence charges
If you are charged with any type of domestic violence crime, do not plead guilty. Call attorney Harold Stone in Salt Lake City at 1-801-913-7055, or contact the firm online to schedule your initial consultation.
